Paul Scully MP, Small Business Minister, wrote an open letter in September to local British businesses, in which he stated that poor mental health has the potential to cost UK employers £42 billion a year, and the UK economy up to £99 billion. Moreover, The Mental Health Foundation estimates that people living with mental health problems contribute an estimated £226 billion gross value added (12.1%) to UK GDP. In recognition of these epic costs, we can no longer ignore the impact that mental health can have on effective work practices.
Under the Equality Act 2010, employees who suffer from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, must not experience discrimination due to their condition. Employers must demonstrate that they are able to make reasonable adjustments to working conditions to allow them to perform effectively in their role. According to ACAS, a mental health issue could be considered a disability if it has a “substantial adverse effect on the life of an employee, if it lasts at least 12 months, or it affects their ability to do their normal day-to-day activities”. Employers have a legal duty of care to have systems in place to support their employees’ health, safety and well-being at work, and mental health should have equal weighting with any physical health and safety provision.
Work can play a key role in supporting and protecting mental health. The Mental Health Foundation in their “Added Value” Report found 86% of all respondents believed that being at work was vitally important to protecting their mental health. This same survey also identified that the main barriers for respondents disclosing their mental health problem to their employer was fear of discrimination and lack of systems to recognise and address mental health at work.
What can you do?
Do you prioritise your own mental health? As a leader within your business there can be huge repercussions if you do not support yourself and your ability to cope. Sometimes taking time out to look after yourself when others depend on you may feel indulgent, however when employees rely on you for the sustainability of their jobs and income this becomes ever increasingly important. Mental Health at Work reports that out of 800 small businesses interviewed by Simply Business, more than half of small-business owners suffered from anxiety, 62% have been affected by stress with 30% now experiencing depression. Taking time to eat well, take regular breaks, keep active, having someone to talk to, and asking for help when needed are all things you can proactively do to support your own mental health and be a role model for others in the business.
Can you create a positive mental health culture? Managers and leaders can influence company culture as champions of positive mental health practices. This could include influencing or creating a mental health strategy and ensuring there are appropriate underlying policies and procedures. Embedding mental health awareness training workshops for all staff, as well as creating internal roles for mental health champions or mental health first aiders can help you create a positive and proactive culture around mental health.
Are you fully prepared to support others? Encouraging managers and employees to create an environment where people are free to openly talk about mental health is vital. Regularly set time aside to discuss physical and mental wellbeing with your employees. MHFA England acknowledges the critical role the workplace plays in the prevention, early intervention, and signposting for support for people with mental illness. As such, ensure you know the signs and symptoms of possible mental health issues and are prepared to have difficult conversations with employees who may be scared to disclose this information to you. Be confident in where you can signpost employees to get advice and support on mental health out of the workplace, and make sure you understand what your own company offers.
Where can you get help?
Mind is a charity that offers training and support to employers on how to support mental health in the workplace. They also offer support directly to individuals who suffer from mental health conditions and staff who have to deal with employees directly who may need more confidence in this area.
Mental health at work also offer a tool kit for small businesses and the self-employed to support them specifically in dealing with the emotional and mental health of their workforce after the COVID-19 pandemic.
MHFA England are a training organisation who work to provide support in the workplace through training and resources, to help you embed a qualified team of mental health first aiders and give mental health and physical health equal strategic weighting.
The HSE provide advice and guidance to employers on implementing strategic frameworks to support metal health. They provide information on the “Thriving at Work Report” and their own management standards approach to dealing with stress.
What’s next
If you would like to learn more about safeguarding and KnowledgeBrief’s policies and procedures for reporting and prevention, please phone us on 020 7704 7636 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
If you are interested in contributing to the newsletter with a brief piece on how your workplace talks these issues, case studies or your own experience in relation to safeguarding, please let us know. We would love to hear your story.
Sources
Acas.(2021). Supporting mental health at work. Available at: https://www.acas.org.uk/supporting-mental-health-workplace
Mental Health Foundation. (2021). How to support mental health at work. Available at: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-support-mental-health-work
Scully, P. (2021). Mental health in the workplace. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/mental-health-in-the-workplace
Useful support resources
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/added-value-mental-health-workplace-asset
https://www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/toolkit/small-businesses-and-the-self-employed-moving-out-of-the-pandemic/
https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/about/what-we-do/
https://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/mental-health-at-work/
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/how-support-mental-health-work
https://mhfaengland.org/
https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/mental-health.htm
https://www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/resource/thriving-at-work-the-stevenson-farmer-review-of-mental-health-and-employers/?read=more
https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/index.htm